Zimbabwe vs West Indies T20 Cricket World Cup Predictions - Hope to get West Indies off to a winning start in Super 8s

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 59 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 59 minutes ago

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Shai Hope hit four sixes and six fours in his 46-ball 75 against Italy.
Brian Bennett (175 runs, ave 175.00+) is 6th in the World Cup runs list
Can the West Indies make it four T20I wins in a row against Zimbabwe?

Shai Hope hits a six against Italy (Getty Images).

Zimbabwe vs West Indies Predictions

The West Indies are natural favourites, but Zimbabwe have had a fantastic World Cup and if things roll their way they can take the West Indies down, so the generous odds on a Zimbabwe win will be tempting but, at the same time, rather high risk.

Zimbabwe vs West Indies Predictions
Head-to-Head
Zimbabwe Form
West Indies Form
Zimbabwe vs West Indies Team News & Squads

West Indies’ Shai Hope (155 runs, ave 51.66) is 12th in the World Cup runs list.
West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford has scored 26, 76* and 24* in his 4 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett scored 63* off 48 balls vs Sri Lanka in his last 5 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza hit four sixes in his 26-ball 45 against Sri Lanka.

Head-to-Head

West Indies have won three and lost four of the four T20Is they have played against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe topped Group B after beating Oman, Australia and Sri Lanka in their group matches. Their match against Ireland was rained-out.

Brian Bennett has been one of the players of the World Cup, albeit in a somewhat understated role as the anchor of Zimbabwe’s top order. The 22-year-old scored 56 against Oman in a World Cup warm-up, then scored 48* against them in their opener, followed by 64* against Australia and 63* against Sri Lanka.

Sikandar Raza has been out just once in three innings, scoring 75 runs at a strike rate of 182.92. Raza has scored 25* and 45 in his last two innings. Tadiwanashe Marumani has been solid in the top order, scoring 21, 35 and 34 in his three World Cup innings.

Blessing Muzarabani is joint second on the wickets list in this World Cup, picking up nine wickets at an average of 7.88. Muzarabani has taken 2/41, 3/16, 4/17 and 2/38 in his last four matches. Richard Ngarava is second on the tournament economy rate list, with an economy rate of 4.25 after taking 3/17 against Oman in his only match of the tournament.

West Indies Form

The West Indies scored 196/6 against England in their group match at the Wankhede Stadium. Teams have averaged 161 in their first innings at the Wankhede in this World Cup, but I think there’s good value in the West Indies scoring big if they bat first.

Shai Hope had a slow start to the World Cup but has scored 61* and 75 in his last two innings. Sherfane Rutherford has played three valuable innings in this tournament, scoring 26, 76* and 24* as the West Indies won all four of their group matches. Shimron Hetmyer has also been in the runs, scoring 64, 23 and 46* in his four innings.

Shamar Joseph has played a big role with the ball for the West Indies, taking 1/26, 1/30, 1/38 and 4/30 in his three matches in the World Cup. Gudakesh Motie starred in the win against England, taking 3/33 and following that up with 2/24 against Italy.

With the West Indies' strong top order being in good form, Jason Holder has had just two chances to bat, but he scored a valuable 33 against England. He also took 3/30 against Scotland and demolished Nepal, taking 4/27. Matthew Forde took 3/19 after picking up just one wicket in his previous two matches in the tournament.

Zimbabwe vs West Indies Team News & Squads

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expressed his delight about his side’s win over Sri Lanka. Speaking during the trophy ceremony, Raza stressed that his side is taking things one step at a time.

“We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present, I don't think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone's hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in,” said Raza.

“We have trained for every situation. We have got all those roles clear and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room. We take one game at a time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story,” added Raza.

Speaking in the post-match interviews, West Indies skipper Shai Hope admitted that his side should have put more runs on the board.

“The pitch was decent and we should've got a bit more. Different when you have unfamiliar bowlers. We could've put more impetus in the middle overs. Will have to find ways to be more forceful when crunch times come,” said Hope.

“We're four in four and have to keep the momentum going all the way through. We have batting depth but we need to be smart. Need to be clinical with strokeplay. Need to capitalise on deliveries. In good shape going into the Super Eight,” added Hope.

Zimbabwe Squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava.

West Indies (possible XI): Shai Hope (c), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

Verdict

Zimbabwe v West Indies

I am backing West Indies to win. I am also backing Shai Hope to top score for West Indies.

Brian Bennett is a good bet to top score for Zimbabwe.

West Indies Runs

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